Yo Do

"One of the most incredible Seabee feats of the war took place on the small island of Yo in the Bay of Wonsan. In communist hands again in 1952, Wonsan was a key supply and transportation center for the enemy. As such, carrier-based aircraft strikes against Wonsan and points deeper in the interior were numerous and constant. Planes were hit by enemy fire daily leaving their pilots with the unhappy choice of either ditching at sea or attempting to land in enemy-held territory. The need for an emergency airstrip was critical and, under the code name Operation "Crippled Chick," a detachment of Seabees came to the rescue. Put ashore on Yo Island, they were given 35 days to construct a runway. Working under constant artillery bombardment from neighboring enemy positions, they managed to complete the 2,400-foot airstrip in only 16 days. By a prearranged signal, "Steak is Ready," the Seabees signaled that the job was done, and nine damaged aircraft landed on the new field that same day."

Excerpt from:
Seabees In The Korean War
Department Of The Navy
Naval Historical Center
Washington DC 20374-5060

Yo Island or Yo Do was on the East coast of North Korea near Wonson, just North of the 39th parallel and about sixty miles North of the 38th parallel, deep into enemy territory. At K3 in early 1953 they were asking for volunteers to return to Yo Do to perform demolition on the island before turning it back over to the enemy. A couple of weeks later I recall hearing one of the returning volunteers grumbling about having to be on dry rations all of the time they were there because one of the first things the officer in charge ordered them to do was blow up the chow hall ! Thanks to Fred Simon for the pictures.

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Yo Do ( 2 )

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Updated 09/25/03

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